IAN Weston's appointment as the new physio at Forest Green is a real coup, according to Cheltenham Town club doctor Alistair Smith.

The Bristol-born former midfielder enjoyed a playing career at Bristol Rovers and Torquay United before moving into sports therapy and returns to Forest Green after more than a decade of service at Cheltenham Town. 

Smith, who has also worked at Forest Green and is a partner at Locking Hill Surgery in Stroud, said: "I have known Wes (Ian) since he came to Cheltenham Town from Forest Green in 2002. What he doesn't know about being a sports therapist in professional football probably isn't worth knowing.

"His knowledge and experience is vast and having played the game professionally himself (for Bristol Rovers and Torquay United) he can see things from the players perspective."

In his time at Whaddon Road, he worked for Cheltenham in League One and League Two – forging an impressive reputation under a number of managers at the Robins.

This included receiving the League Two Football Medical Association Members' Award 12 months ago, which is given to the top medic in each division - judged across all medical disciplines including sports scientists, club doctors and sports therapists.

Smith added: "He is utterly dedicated and thoroughly professional, a pivotal member of the backroom staff.

"I know that previous managers have always been very ready to listen to anything that Wes felt willing to contribute from a coaching or managerial perspective, his insight and knowledge of the game is considerable.

"As well as being a first -class therapist he's also a family man and a lovely guy. I doubt that you will be able to find anybody in the game with a bad word to say about him.

"We were all delighted for him when he was named League Two Physio of the Year by the Football Medical Association last summer.

"It was no less than he deserves for the tremendous work he puts in. Ian has been a wonderful and loyal servant to Cheltenham Town through good times and bad. I am very sorry to see him go but wish him all the best in his new role at Forest Green."